What is FIDO2?
Learn the basics of FIDO2 passwordless authentication, including how it works and helps protect individuals and organizations against online attacks.
FIDO2 is the newest set of specifications from the FIDO Alliance. It enables the use of common devices to authenticate to online services on both mobile and desktop environments, using unique cryptographic login credentials for every site. Essentially, FIDO2 is passwordless authentication.
Also spelled as “FIDO 2,” FIDO2 is an overarching term for the FIDO Alliance specifications. These are the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Authentication (WebAuthn) specification and FIDO Alliance’s Client-to-Authenticator Protocol (CTAP).
FIDO2 provides a passwordless way to authenticate users and addresses security, convenience, privacy, and scalability issues that passwords do not. Online services can be accessed through a standard web API, which can be built into web platform infrastructure.
What are the benefits of FIDO2 authentication?
Increases security
FIDO2 passwordless authentication significantly boosts login security by relying on unique passkeys. With FIDO2, hackers can’t easily gain access to this sensitive information through phishing, ransomware, and other common acts of cybertheft. Biometric and FIDO2 keys also help eliminate vulnerabilities in traditional multifactor authentication methods, such as sending one-time passcodes (OTPs) through text messages.
Promotes ease of use
With FIDO authentication, individuals can quickly and conveniently authenticate their identities using FIDO2 keys, authenticator apps, or fingerprint readers or cameras embedded in their devices. Although users must perform a second or even third security step (such as when more than one biometric is required for identity verification), they save themselves the time and hassle associated with creating, memorizing, managing, and resetting passwords.
Simplifies access management
IT teams no longer need to deploy and manage password policies and infrastructure, reducing costs and freeing them to focus on higher-value activities. In addition, productivity among help desk personnel increases, as they don’t have to support password-based requests, such as resetting passwords.
Enhances user privacy
FIDO authentication strengthens user privacy by securely storing private cryptographic keys and biometric data on user devices. In addition, because this method of authentication generates unique key pairs, it helps prevent service providers from tracking users across sites. Also, in response to consumer concerns around potential misuse of biometric data, governments are enacting privacy laws that prevent organizations from selling or sharing biometric information.
Improves scalability
FIDO2 is an open, license-free standard that enables businesses and other organizations to scale passwordless authentication methods worldwide. With FIDO2, they can deliver secure, streamlined sign-in experiences to all employees, customers, and partners regardless of their chosen browser and platform.
How to implement FIDO2
Implementing the FIDO2 standard on websites and apps requires your organization to have modern hardware and software. Fortunately, all leading web platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS and MacOS, and Android systems, and all major web browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Mozilla Firefox, support FIDO2. Your identity and access management (IAM) solution must also support FIDO2 authentication.
In general, implementing FIDO2 authentication in new or existing websites and apps entails these key steps:
- Define the user login experience and authentication methods, and set access control policies.
- Create new or modify existing registration and sign-in pages with the appropriate FIDO protocol specifications.
- Set up a FIDO server to authenticate FIDO registration and authentication requests. The FIDO server can be a standalone server, integrate with a web or application server, or provided as an IAM module.
- Build new or modify existing authentication workflows.
Examples of FIDO2 authentication
Security and logistical requirements for identity verification vary within and across organizations. The following are common ways that organizations in different industries implement FIDO2 authentication.
Increases security
FIDO2 passwordless authentication significantly boosts login security by relying on unique passkeys. With FIDO2, hackers can’t easily gain access to this sensitive information through phishing, ransomware, and other common acts of cybertheft. Biometric and FIDO2 keys also help eliminate vulnerabilities in traditional multifactor authentication methods, such as sending one-time passcodes (OTPs) through text messages.
Promotes ease of use
With FIDO authentication, individuals can quickly and conveniently authenticate their identities using FIDO2 keys, authenticator apps, or fingerprint readers or cameras embedded in their devices. Although users must perform a second or even third security step (such as when more than one biometric is required for identity verification), they save themselves the time and hassle associated with creating, memorizing, managing, and resetting passwords.
Enhances user privacy
FIDO authentication strengthens user privacy by securely storing private cryptographic keys and biometric data on user devices. In addition, because this method of authentication generates unique key pairs, it helps prevent service providers from tracking users across sites. Also, in response to consumer concerns around potential misuse of biometric data, governments are enacting privacy laws that prevent organizations from selling or sharing biometric information.
Improves scalability
FIDO2 is an open, license-free standard that enables businesses and other organizations to scale passwordless authentication methods worldwide. With FIDO2, they can deliver secure, streamlined sign-in experiences to all employees, customers, and partners regardless of their chosen browser and platform.